I have a 2002 Utopia, starts every time on the first try when dry. Even starts up and runs for a bit in the water. When I go to restart it wont. Sometime it wont even start when I first put it in the water. Motor cranks and sputters but wont catch. Its almost like some electrical switch is preventing it from starting.
2002 Utopia, 240 EFI runs on trailer not in water
- Thread starter neptune08
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DR.
I think its a 2001, I attached some pictures. I also have the 2001 240 M2 manual. We ran some tests as per the manual and it lead us to believe it was the neutral safty switch on the throttle so I replaced it. This is like chasing a lose ground. the previous owner did some electrical "repairs" so I have fixed those. The bilge was replaced and direct wired to the battery with medical tape. I have checked all the fuses under the dash, took the dash off looking for lose wires. Took the rear seat bin out checking those wires. I brought it to one mechanic who would not even touch the boat. The other one charged me 1k to test it and put in some new fuel filters and oil filters and spark plugs. It worked after that for a bit...
Pete
I think its a 2001, I attached some pictures. I also have the 2001 240 M2 manual. We ran some tests as per the manual and it lead us to believe it was the neutral safty switch on the throttle so I replaced it. This is like chasing a lose ground. the previous owner did some electrical "repairs" so I have fixed those. The bilge was replaced and direct wired to the battery with medical tape. I have checked all the fuses under the dash, took the dash off looking for lose wires. Took the rear seat bin out checking those wires. I brought it to one mechanic who would not even touch the boat. The other one charged me 1k to test it and put in some new fuel filters and oil filters and spark plugs. It worked after that for a bit...
Pete
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
It's a high serial number... but yes... it's the last of the 2001. That makes is a Gen1 engine.
Since you think it feels electrical in nature... let's go with that. The neutral switch won't kill the engine... but it will keep the starter from spinning. When you were up in the helm, where the fuses are... did you notice another box with wires? If you did... its the throttle guardian. It will cause all kinds of issues. I recommend removing it. Another quick test is to disconnect the Black/yellow wire on the top/rear of the engine. That's the kill wire. It takes a ground to shut off the spark. If you disconnect that, and still have the same problems... then we need to look at a more mechanical issue.
Since you think it feels electrical in nature... let's go with that. The neutral switch won't kill the engine... but it will keep the starter from spinning. When you were up in the helm, where the fuses are... did you notice another box with wires? If you did... its the throttle guardian. It will cause all kinds of issues. I recommend removing it. Another quick test is to disconnect the Black/yellow wire on the top/rear of the engine. That's the kill wire. It takes a ground to shut off the spark. If you disconnect that, and still have the same problems... then we need to look at a more mechanical issue.
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Yep... it's in those wires in your red circle. Since that is the actual kill wire, at the coils... when you turn your key off... it's not going to shut down clean. It's going to stumble, and take a few seconds to shut down as the fuel injection bleeds down. Basically... it has to run out of fuel.
There's no sensor, or other outside part that will "Kill" the engine. The ECU can put it into limp mode... but it will continue to run. Things that can kill the engine are...
1) Bad Throttle Gaurdin
2) Bad Stator
3) Bad Trigger
4) Chaffed wires
5) Bad key switch
6) Bad Safety Lanyard post
7) Bad coil packs (they don't normally kill the engine. just kill spark from their bank)
8) Bad Rev-limiter.
As you see... there's a bunch that can kill the engine... so pulling the wire at the coils will potentially eliminate a bunch of things. If it still does what you are describing... an you still think it's electrical... then you will need to pull the flywheel.
Last thing... take a pressure gauge with you to the dock, and check the fuel pressure too. May as well look at that.
There's no sensor, or other outside part that will "Kill" the engine. The ECU can put it into limp mode... but it will continue to run. Things that can kill the engine are...
1) Bad Throttle Gaurdin
2) Bad Stator
3) Bad Trigger
4) Chaffed wires
5) Bad key switch
6) Bad Safety Lanyard post
7) Bad coil packs (they don't normally kill the engine. just kill spark from their bank)
8) Bad Rev-limiter.
As you see... there's a bunch that can kill the engine... so pulling the wire at the coils will potentially eliminate a bunch of things. If it still does what you are describing... an you still think it's electrical... then you will need to pull the flywheel.
Last thing... take a pressure gauge with you to the dock, and check the fuel pressure too. May as well look at that.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Did you test for a spark when it wouldn't restart?
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